Ireland vacations are an incredible opportunity for amazing holidays. Put aside your preconceptions of Ireland as being nothing but Guiness and Potatoes--You will have the time of your life. Ireland offers history, culture, and has also really taken off as a major European player with the recent economic developments.
Musical Ireland Vacations
Sinead O'Connor, U2, Tommy Peoples, Liz Doherty...the list goes on and on--Ireland is famous for its music and has something for every musical taste. Dublin has an incredible street performer culture, unlike anywhere else in the world, and just walking around town you will be exposed to amazing musicians. If you take the time to notice a street performer playing PLEASE leave a tip--after all, it is their job!
Have you thought about educational Ireland Vacations? Learn to play Irish Traditional music on your own! Irish trad music is wonderfully fun to play, and you can pick up the very basics quickly, but be warned: it can take years to really learn to play so that your music has that Irish feel to it--what started as an experiment may quickly become a lifelong obsession. If you are interested in learning Irish Fiddle, consider checking out Fiddler's Retreat. You can sign up for different length packages that include daily lessons, bed & breakfast accomodations, afternoon tours and nightly sessions! If you want a more budget option, or if you'd like to focus on a different region in Ireland check out the forums at thesession.org. Here you can post letting people know where you will be and ask for recommendations for local teachers.
Literary Ireland Vacations
Ireland's story tellers are world famous. Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore Ireland from a reader's perspective. One of the most enjoyable Dublin events is the Bloomsday festival, which happens anually on June 16th. The day's events celebrate the book Ulysses by James Joyce and recreates the events of the book, which all take place on that same day.
Looking for something older? Be sure to go to Trinity College and see the permanent exhibit on the Book of Kells. This illuminated masterpiece is beautifully preserved, and the exhibit is very skillfully done, teaching the background and history of the book as well as explaining the significance of various pages.
You can also visit the Dublin Writer's Museum, opened in 1991, which celebrates the great literary tradition of Ireland. The museum is set in a mansion and allows you to explore the lives of various Irish writers through their portraits, personal effects and journals.
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